Qa-19, 28 February 2018, Statement Of The Spokesperson Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hami Aksoy, In Response To A Question Regarding The Reference Made By The Spokesperson Of The Us Department Of State To Turkey In Relation To The Un Security Council Resolution 2401 On The Humanitarian Situation In Syria

Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 28.02.2018

The focus of the UN Security Council Resolution 2401 is the cessation of
the regime’s attacks that have caused the slaughter of hundreds of
civilians within a week and the destruction of civilian facilities such as
hospitals and schools as well as providing humanitarian access to the
people condemned to starvation by the regime’s siege policy.

In response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria, particularly
in Eastern Ghouta, the resolution demands the cessation of hostilities
without delay and calls for a humanitarian ceasefire to become effective at
least for 30 days in order to allow access to emergency humanitarian aid
and medical evacuations.

In the resolution, Afrin is not cited among the areas where the
humanitarian situation is considered to be alarming. This is due to the
fact that what is occurring in Afrin is not a conflict which does not
differentiate between civilians and terrorists as meant by the resolution,
but a combat against terrorist organizations which target the integrity of
Syria and the national security of Turkey.

Turkey is not a party to the conflicts in Syria. Turkey exercises its right
to self-defense on the basis of Article 51 of the UN Charter through
Operation Olive Branch carried out in Afrin.

Against this backdrop, the statement of the Spokesperson of the US State
Department suggesting that Turkey should thoroughly read the UN Security
Council Resolution is completely groundless and it reveals that the
Spokesperson either fails to grasp the focus of the resolution or intends
to distort it.

Implementing the resolution without distorting its objective or targets
should be the priority of all sides. Assuming that the resolution has been
adopted with a view to protecting innocent people, utmost precaution must
be exercised to avoid any distorted or double-standard interpretations
which may be perceived as defending terrorists.

Within this framework, we recommend the US to focus on stopping the
regime’s attacks on innocent civilians instead of making statements that
support terrorists.

Turkey, as it has done so far, will continue to do its part for alleviating
the suffering of the Syrian people.